The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has said that the over 14 lakh comments to its consultation paper that have come via Facebook are of no use since they don't answer specific questions raised by the regulator.

Chairman R.S. Sharma Thursday said that the consultation paper wasn't "an opinion poll" and that respondents should answer the four specific questions raised in the consultation paper on differential pricing.

"We respect the responses but they need to be pertinent and need to be meaningful to us. We have given extra days and appeal to them to frame responses to our questions, giving specific reasons. They just can't say they love Free Basics," Sharma said.

Mr. Sharma, however, declined to comment specifically on Free Basics, but agreed that that the service uses a differential pricing model.

"We welcome the TRAI's decision to give the supporters of FreeBasics an opportunity to participate meaningfully in the consultation process, by answering the questions posed by the TRAI. Those who support services like Airtel Zero and FreeBasics can use the tool at www.savetheinternet.in, write their own answers, and send them to the TRAI." said Savetheinternet.in team in a statement.